Trio of tons from Crawley, Duckett and Pope batters Zimbabwe | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Trio of tons from Crawley, Duckett and Pope batters Zimbabwe

Sports

TBS Report
23 May, 2025, 01:20 pm
Last modified: 23 May, 2025, 01:23 pm

Related News

  • 'Runs are the currency' - England tell struggling Pope and Crawley
  • England Test opener Crawley aiming for white-ball role
  • Crawley calls for refinement to 'Bazball' after India defeat
  • Duckett slammed by Hussain and Vaughan for trying to take credit for Jaiswal's attacking batting
  • Pope hits epic 196 as England set India 231-run target in first Test

Trio of tons from Crawley, Duckett and Pope batters Zimbabwe

By stumps, England had raced to 498 for three, surpassing the previous highest opening-day total in a Test on English soil — 475 for two by Australia in 1934 — with Ollie Pope unbeaten on 169 from just 169 balls, having registered his eighth Test hundred, all against different opponents.

TBS Report
23 May, 2025, 01:20 pm
Last modified: 23 May, 2025, 01:23 pm
Trio of tons from Crawley, Duckett and Pope batters Zimbabwe

England's summer of Test cricket began with a record-breaking display as their top three all struck centuries in a commanding performance against Zimbabwe on the opening day of the four-day match at Trent Bridge on 22 may.

By stumps, England had raced to 498 for three, surpassing the previous highest opening-day total in a Test on English soil — 475 for two by Australia in 1934 — with Ollie Pope unbeaten on 169 from just 169 balls, having registered his eighth Test hundred, all against different opponents.

Ben Duckett led the early charge with a fluent 140 on his Nottinghamshire home ground, while Zak Crawley returned to form with 124, bringing up his first Test century since the 2023 Ashes and only his fifth in 54 matches. It was the first time since December 2022, when the same trio reached three figures against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, that England's top three all made centuries on the first day of a Test.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Zimbabwe, playing their first Test in England in 22 years, were outmatched from the outset and endured further setbacks when pacer Richard Ngarava left the field clutching his back shortly after lunch. Though he returned briefly, he didn't bowl again and left the field once more before the close.

Crawley, who had managed just 212 runs across his previous eight Tests at an average of 15.14, was particularly satisfied with his contribution. Speaking after play, the Kent opener said: "It's awesome to be backed by two people I respect massively," referring to captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. "They obviously think I'm the right man for the job and I have that belief in myself as well. I want to repay that faith. I love being around this team, I love batting and I love scoring runs, especially for my country."

Crawley's century came in 145 balls, featuring 12 boundaries. Duckett, meanwhile, brought up his hundred off exactly 100 balls and later hit the first six of the match off Tanaka Chivanga before falling for 140, chipping a catch to cover off Wessly Madhevere.

Pope then took over the assault. He reached his century with a four off Sikandar Raza — his 14th of the innings — and continued to accelerate as England asserted their dominance.

Even the dismissal of Joe Root, who holed out to long-on for 34 off the tireless Blessing Muzarabani, barely slowed England's momentum.

Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to maintain consistent lengths, with their inexperience exposed throughout the day. Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt admitted the occasion had proved daunting.

"Stepping up to the next level, playing a team like England, you need to be able to challenge them for longer periods," Langeveldt said. "In these conditions, you have to get used to the length. And with England, they'll hit your good balls as well."

He added that Ngarava's issue appeared to be a back spasm and would be reassessed the following morning.

With England firmly in control and their senior players finding form ahead of sterner challenges — including a five-Test series against India and the Ashes in Australia — the early signs suggest a busy and promising summer for the hosts.

Cricket

England vs Zimbabwe / Zak Crawley / Ollie Pope / Ben Duckett

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Leaders and activists of BNP gather at Nayapaltan ahead of the rally of three BNP affiliated organisations on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Thousands gather as BNP's rally in Nayapaltan underway
  • Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
    Inflation, exchange rate shocks to intensify fiscal pressure in FY26
  • Representational Image. Freepik
    DSEX drops 62 points, extends losing streak to six days

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • 'Runs are the currency' - England tell struggling Pope and Crawley
  • England Test opener Crawley aiming for white-ball role
  • Crawley calls for refinement to 'Bazball' after India defeat
  • Duckett slammed by Hussain and Vaughan for trying to take credit for Jaiswal's attacking batting
  • Pope hits epic 196 as England set India 231-run target in first Test

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Crowds throng BNP’s youth rally

Crowds throng BNP’s youth rally

13m | TBS Today
How Was Interpol’s Most Wanted Subrata Bain Arrested?

How Was Interpol’s Most Wanted Subrata Bain Arrested?

38m | TBS Stories
Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon

Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon

1h | TBS Stories
UCB aims to grow deposits by Tk12,000 crore this year

UCB aims to grow deposits by Tk12,000 crore this year

1h | TBS Programs
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net